Is it bad for the top to leave it down for a long time?
Is it bad for the top to leave it down for a long time? I just got a convertible about a month ago. Out of that month the top has been up maybe 5 days. I was wondering if I shouldn't have it down so much.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
It probably depends on many conditions like age, etc... When my car was new it was displayed for MONTHS in the showroom with the top down. It seemed somewhat wrinkled but I learned from quite a few people that soaking the top with plain old water and leaving it to dry in the sun just takes all the wrinkles and folds out. Well it worked for me and is still perfect to this day. Use Raggtopp afterwards to fully protect it if it needs it. Certainly no harm in trying it, just don't blast the water onto the top. Gently get it soaking wet then let it dry for a few hours on a cloudless sunny day.
I'm really not sure about this. I can understand the need to flex it from time to time, but if you are putting it up at least every now and then when you wash the car, I think it would be fine.
My top is factory ('00) and the wear points are where the top is supported by the frame, not where it folds or creases while down. So there's at least one counter-argument to say it is better to leave it down if you can.
My top is factory ('00) and the wear points are where the top is supported by the frame, not where it folds or creases while down. So there's at least one counter-argument to say it is better to leave it down if you can.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Keller, Texas
Good point from todddchi. You can go either way in this argument. If you leave the top down for too long, the fabric with shrink and also if you leave the vehicle in the sun, it can cause sun damage to the interior of the vehicle, unless protected or treated. If you leave it up for too long, then yes, the support of the frame will wear into the fabric, but that is also to say if you leave it up for too long.
I've already had to replace the top from just the normal wear and tear....
My suggestion is to do both, if that makes any sense
I've already had to replace the top from just the normal wear and tear....
My suggestion is to do both, if that makes any sense
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my top has a little slack to it. i was thinking about stretching it forward about an inch, but you're telling me all i have to do is leave the top down?
i keep it in the garage, so it would almost be a no brainer if it weren't for all the black widows in there.
i keep it in the garage, so it would almost be a no brainer if it weren't for all the black widows in there.
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Originally Posted by ZeeVert
Thanks for creaping me out!
you jack up the front of your car just enough to get under the air dam because you're going to grease up your front sway bar bushings.
you unbolt the plate covering the driver side sway bar bushing, take it off while making sure it doesnt drop on your face and lay it down carefully next to you. you turn back to loosen the bolt on the sway bar mount to find
this plump f**ker inches from your face. she's been kicking it behind that plate all along.
The only *rules* you have to remember is:
1) DO NOT put the top down while it is wet, because it WILL shrink.
2) DO NOT put the top down while it is COLD outside (below ~40F), because GM says not to.
3) DO NOT leave the top down when it rains (unless it's parked in the garage)
Leaving the top down for extended periods may allow it to relax a bit and require a *little help* to get it latched closed, but it's not going to hurt anything. Like said before, any wrinkles come out w/ the next wash or exposure to sun.
1) DO NOT put the top down while it is wet, because it WILL shrink.
2) DO NOT put the top down while it is COLD outside (below ~40F), because GM says not to.
3) DO NOT leave the top down when it rains (unless it's parked in the garage)
Leaving the top down for extended periods may allow it to relax a bit and require a *little help* to get it latched closed, but it's not going to hurt anything. Like said before, any wrinkles come out w/ the next wash or exposure to sun.
So basically if it gets a little loose can you wet the top down real good then put it down and let it dry to shrink it up a tad?
Also I keep mine in the garage and just leave it unlatched!! It raises up about an inch or so and keeps all the tension off the top but still leaves it up from getting creased!!
Also I keep mine in the garage and just leave it unlatched!! It raises up about an inch or so and keeps all the tension off the top but still leaves it up from getting creased!!
I've got another question. How do you dry the top? I've been letting mine just air dry because I don't have anything that doesn't leave lint.
Also I keep mine in the garage and just leave it unlatched!! It raises up about an inch or so and keeps all the tension off the top but still leaves it up from getting creased!! That's a good idea. I think I'll start doing that when the top is up.
Good points. Have to remember those.
Originally Posted by bc56f100
Also I keep mine in the garage and just leave it unlatched!! It raises up about an inch or so and keeps all the tension off the top but still leaves it up from getting creased!!
Originally Posted by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag
The only *rules* you have to remember is:
1) DO NOT put the top down while it is wet, because it WILL shrink.
2) DO NOT put the top down while it is COLD outside (below ~40F), because GM says not to.
3) DO NOT leave the top down when it rains (unless it's parked in the garage)
Leaving the top down for extended periods may allow it to relax a bit and require a *little help* to get it latched closed, but it's not going to hurt anything. Like said before, any wrinkles come out w/ the next wash or exposure to sun.
1) DO NOT put the top down while it is wet, because it WILL shrink.
2) DO NOT put the top down while it is COLD outside (below ~40F), because GM says not to.
3) DO NOT leave the top down when it rains (unless it's parked in the garage)
Leaving the top down for extended periods may allow it to relax a bit and require a *little help* to get it latched closed, but it's not going to hurt anything. Like said before, any wrinkles come out w/ the next wash or exposure to sun.
